Rice: Positive statements coming from Iran

US secretary of state says her country has heard some positive statements from Tehran over offer from major powers aimed at curbing Iran's nuclear program; Rice adds US still expecting clear answer on proposal, hopes Iran will take 'right path'

The United States has heard some positive statements from Tehran over an offer from major powers aimed at curbing Iran's nuclear program, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on Friday.

Rice, speaking to reporters after talks with Italian Foreign Minister Massimo D'Alema, added that the United States is still expecting a clear answer on the proposal, and hopes Iran will take what she called the right path.

"Certainly we have heard some positive statements from the Iranians," she said in the most optimistic public US assessment to date.

Earlier on Friday, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad welcomed a proposal by world powers to defuse a standoff over Tehran's nuclear activity as a positive step but gave no sign when an answer would come.

Ahmadinejad, markedly more upbeat about the proposal on a trip abroad than he has been at home, said Iran was examining the offer of incentives for Tehran to stop enriching uranium, a process that could eventually yield atomic bombs.

'Encouraging comments'

He also warned Iran would not be concerned by possible sanctions if it rejects the June 6 offer.